Omar Abdullah Plans Big Protest At Jantar Mantar On July 20 Over J-K Statehood Demands; What CM Said On Venue Change?

State Bureau, Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified on Thursday that the National Conference's July 20 protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar will take place as scheduled. He asserted that the location and format of the proposed protest may change depending on circumstances, but the party's resolve to go to Delhi and raise its voice will remain unchanged. The ruling party is scheduled to hold a protest over the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and the constitutional guarantees

#WATCH | Srinagar | On National Conference to protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on July 20, J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, "Our program will not change. The venue and manner of our program may change, but our plan to go to Delhi will not change. We will not work hiding in a corner.… pic.twitter.com/jBmeb7U6Us

— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2026

Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said that changes in the methods of the protest are possible, but the decision to go to Delhi is firm.

ALSO READ: Omar Abdullah's 'Love Letter' Quip To BJP's Rs 100-Crore Defamation Notice Amid Row Over J&K CM's Operation Lotus Claim

Program Will Not Change: CM

"Our program will not change. The venue and manner of our program may change, but our plan to go to Delhi will not change. We will not work hiding in a corner. We will go to Delhi and raise our voice. We will see what needs to be done next."

"We will not conduct this movement by hiding in a corner. We will go to Delhi and raise our voice there in a democratic manner," he added.

ALSO READ: 'If Not In Delhi, Do We Need To Go To White House?' Omar Abdullah Takes Jab At BJP Ahead Of J&K Statehood Protest

He said, "If we intended to hold this program secretly, we could have done it in our own backyard. But our goal is to go to Delhi and present our views in a completely democratic manner. We will go to Delhi at any cost, raise our voice, and then decide on the future strategy of the movement."

When asked about the announcements of other political programs before the proposed protest, whether this was an attempt to weaken or divert attention from the movement, Omar declined to comment. The chief minister said he did not want to get into the debate about whether this was a conspiracy or a diversionary tactic. 

(With Jagran/ANI inputs)